Another Ball Joint Question
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From: Northeast Nebraska
Another Ball Joint Question
First off I have a 99 F-150 4.2 5sp SB/RC 4x4.
I read the tech atricle on ball joint replacement and I think its great. Well I went and got new tires which came with a free alignment. They werent able to do the alignment due to the lower ball joints being bad-no surprise. The steering aint too bad and the old tires werent worn bad either so Im gonna hold off on new ball joints till it gets warm out and do it myself. Heres my questions, when the lowers go bad is it best to replace the uppers (which come with the control arm) at the same time? Does anyone have a brand preference, my options are Moog and TRW? If I were to get a 4" lift kit would I have to replace the ball joints any way and if so would it make sense to do all this work at the same time?
Oh and FYI my new tires are 285/75/16 which are a tight fit on stock wheels/suspension but look good. This is why Im considering a 4" lift now.
I read the tech atricle on ball joint replacement and I think its great. Well I went and got new tires which came with a free alignment. They werent able to do the alignment due to the lower ball joints being bad-no surprise. The steering aint too bad and the old tires werent worn bad either so Im gonna hold off on new ball joints till it gets warm out and do it myself. Heres my questions, when the lowers go bad is it best to replace the uppers (which come with the control arm) at the same time? Does anyone have a brand preference, my options are Moog and TRW? If I were to get a 4" lift kit would I have to replace the ball joints any way and if so would it make sense to do all this work at the same time?
Oh and FYI my new tires are 285/75/16 which are a tight fit on stock wheels/suspension but look good. This is why Im considering a 4" lift now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,111
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From: Lexington Mo
Independent suspension
With the independent suspension I wouldn't change the upper ball joint unless they were showing some wear. Anytime we lift our trucks (as mine is) we work all suspension parts harder. If money isn't an object, replace all 4 ball joints. No problem using moog parts, I like them myself.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 70
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From: Nova Scotia, Canada
moog makes two types of ball joint one with a 1 year guarantee and the other with a lifetime replacement, the latter is almost twice the price. The choice of which to use is a no brainer, gotta get the lifetime warrantee or your not a true ford lover..
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Royal Palm Beach, Fl
My 1998 started shaking at 60 MPH and it was not tire balance so I decided to rebuild the front end. I found one upper ball joint real bad. (very loose) I bought both upper and lower control arms with the bushings and ball joints in them. The cost was about $15.00 more each. $60.00 total. I tried to press the old bushings out to see how hard it would be and found the $60.00 extra was well spent. Unless you have a serious press buy the control arm with bushings and ball joints installed. It's much easier. My steering and tire wear were OK but that bad ball joint was scary. You don't want them coming apart.
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From: Murray
I would never buy Moog..one reason..my buddy and I were replacing his ball joints on his ranger w/ Moogs and lo an behold one of em busts to pieces as we were putting it in! We had already put the other side on so we then had to take out that one and returned them right away..if possible stay away from Moog.
-Chris
-Chris
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How exactly did it bust into pieces as you were putting it in? I'd be willing to be you either didn't have it straight, or weren't using the proper tools. I've been installing MOOG ball joints for over ten years now and have YET to see a defective one, let alone one that "busts to pieces" while I was putting it in.
I'd be looking at your installation techniques before I started blaming a brand name. . .
I'd be looking at your installation techniques before I started blaming a brand name. . .
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From: Murray
As I stated..we had already installed the other side without a problem and we were using the proper ball joint press as well. We had it seated and lined up just as we had done with the other side as per the instrustions not only from the manufacturer but a Haynes as well. We had just barely put any pressure on the press when the ring on the outer edge peeled right off.
Now keep in mind we were repeating the process that we had already done sucessfully on the other side of the same vehicle. We had not aplied excessive force in any manner. You're not alone the guy at the parts shop said he'd never seen anything like it either.
Thats why I would stay away from them...on a side note just for those who would doubt my technique and that of my friend (who by the way is a certified Ford mechanic)...we got a set of the TRWs' and they went in without any complications whatsoever and using the same tools and techniques that ended the Moogs.
-Chris
Now keep in mind we were repeating the process that we had already done sucessfully on the other side of the same vehicle. We had not aplied excessive force in any manner. You're not alone the guy at the parts shop said he'd never seen anything like it either.
Thats why I would stay away from them...on a side note just for those who would doubt my technique and that of my friend (who by the way is a certified Ford mechanic)...we got a set of the TRWs' and they went in without any complications whatsoever and using the same tools and techniques that ended the Moogs.
-Chris